We had a colony of black small ants in our driveway a few weeks ago and whilst looking at them and deciding what to do I noticed a large ant about a foot or two away from the entrance of their tunnels. I captured this ant and put it in a tic tac container as I have nothing better for now. It has multiple small holes poked with a needle in 3 corners, and a small paper towel piece that is folded up and has water soaked in it. I checked a day ago and the queen had laid eggs but I'm concerned that this set up may not be proper. At the time I'm not able to get test tubes so could anyone suggest any other way of doing this? Also, If this colony does pick up and start working, what is the best cost efficient way to get them setup in their first little world?
-note: small black ants, bigger reddish and black queen, northeast US. Is laying eggs, need setup help,can supply pictures if needed.

That set up sounds fine if shes laying eggs she is comfortable. Poke one more hole in the top so you can water the towel with a needle. I have seen a few colony's founded this way, nothing seems wrong. As the old saying goes if its not broke don't fix it. When she has 15-20 workers I would think about a better set up.

Not sure need to know the species. Most ant queens minus a few do not require food, till the 1st workers show up. After an id will be able to tell you more. I only check on mine once an month, any more might stress the queen out.

We had a colony of black small ants in our driveway a few weeks ago and whilst looking at them and deciding what to do I noticed a large ant about a foot or two away from the entrance of their tunnels. I captured this ant and put it in a tic tac container as I have nothing better for now. It has multiple small holes poked with a needle in 3 corners, and a small paper towel piece that is folded up and has water soaked in it. I checked a day ago and the queen had laid eggs but I'm concerned that this set up may not be proper. At the time I'm not able to get test tubes so could anyone suggest any other way of doing this? Also, If this colony does pick up and start working, what is the best cost efficient way to get them setup in their first little world?
-note: small black ants, bigger reddish and black queen, northeast US. Is laying eggs, need setup help,can supply pictures if needed.

If she lays eggs she's very happy!

"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25